"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." - Eccl 9:10
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BIBLICAL LIVING 101 - Work Part 3 (Vocation)
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"I want to know what God's will is for my life."
OK, here's the simple and straightforward answer:
1. Love God with all your heart, might, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. (Glorify Him!)
2. Be a witness, make disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey what Christ taught. (The Great Commission - we each, individually, support pieces of it). (Through His Power!)
3. Don't worry about food, clothing, shelter - but be content with what you have been given, and enjoy it in peace and quiet (don't go chasing waterfalls), be law abiding and diligent, giving thanks to God for it. Take it a day at a time and GROW UP in the Word (Don't remain babies!)
This is THE WILL OF GOD for ALL believers WITHOUT EXCEPTION!
But that's not what we are asking when we ask that question, because that's not enough!
We would like to know what field/vocation we should work in, are we called to be a missionary, how should we earn our living - in other words, we want to know the will of God for MY, PERSONAL, INDIVIDUAL, LIFE! Does the Bible have anything to say about that? Of course it does... just so long as you keep points 1,2, & 3, and our opening text in mind! Lets look at the clues God gives us...
1. We don't get to choose where we are born, our race, skin color, parents, family, country, climate... Nada! That is totally up to Him! This is a big clue that your lifes' mission has been designed by someone already, without your input and that You have absolutely nothing to do with enjoying/hating whatever privileges/disadvantages you enjoy/deal with today! This should also help you to NOT look down at others who are different, because they had no choice in the matter either, they are all equally created in the image of God!!!
Now, in some specific cases, people are SPECIFICALLY designed, born, and chosen for a specific mission. The most famous example being Christ of course, but beyond that, EVERYONE that God SOVEREIGNLY chooses - beginning from Abraham, every prophet and man of God (Samuel, John the Baptist, Elijah) to the Apostles (Paul!) and beyond till this day (Billy Graham) - are not ..really.. given a choice to do something else https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t4c/1/16/1f642.png");">?. This is being CHOSEN, for a specific purpose, as opposed to being CALLED (every Believer is called to do the will of God). If you are CHOSEN (and the typical pattern is that this manifests EARLY in life - with exceptions like Paul...), He will drive your mission.... so one good test right away is to look to your childhood, for markers that may suggest what His plans are for you. This “chosen” is different from being chosen for Salvation (every believer is chosen/elected for salvation) , this is being chosen for a specific task.
So, just to be very clear, we are talking about 3 seperate things. A. Our Calling and Election (All Believers), B. our Vocation (how we earn our livelihood), and C. if we have a specific mission.
For example, the Apostle Paul - It was no accident that he was trained in jewish theology, was born into the tribe of Benjamin, and was a pharisee of pharisees. All of that was used to great effect for his mission (preaching the gospel to the gentiles). His vocation - we know he worked as a Tentmaker. (interesting vocation - Tent = Tabernacle)
2. Where we are born has a big influence on our upbringing. We inherit family characteristics, grow up in our own culture, yet are UNIQUE individuals - each and every one of us! Every one has something to contribute, and every one is gifted with certain natural skills and abilities,some more than others - an extreme case being child prodigies.
This is a sure sign that these talents are not a function of experience or knowledge, but are God-gifted. We see people who get A, B, C,D, F grades in various disciplines in school. Again, the mix of what people are good at varies wildly, and here is clue #2. The immense variety of people and work is a clue that somewhere, someplace, is a place with a slot that is uniquely tailored to you and your specific skills.
Skills come from God - "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;......... And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work." (Exodus 31:1-6, Exodus 35:30-35)
Take special note of the skills listed here, starting with the Spirit, we have wisdom/understanding/knowledge in workmanship/cunning work (mechanical engineering!), metalworking, woodworking, jewellery, ALSO teaching, engraving, weaving, embroidery. Hey look! - guys doing embroidery!!!... we hope this convinces you that there are no "girly/manly" distinctions when it comes to talents and work - and this is a very broad list!
How do we discover what our skills and talents are?
By trying things out...a great way to discover if your skills, passions, and talents are aligned in a particular direction. You will also have a lot of fun in the process and make new friends! Fear of failure or embarrassment are the biggest blockers to anyone trying something new - ask Him to help you overcome them!
If God created you a certain way (He called Bezaleel and Aholiab BY NAME!), He has a plan to use you in that capacity, which will leverage all your existing talents to good advantage.
He will also create situations and opportunities to develop and enhance them, and ultimately put your skills to their best use.
Not all these situations are going to be pleasant if He needs you to get rid of laziness or lack of discipline. However, diligence is ALWAYS rewarded and NEVER forgotten by God! Don't worry about outcomes - just - "DO YOUR JOB!" Let Him take care of the advancements and promotions - or just shelter you under His arms.
3. OK... but how does my calling interact with my vocation? Do I need to find a new job now that I am “saved”? If Gods’ work is so important shouldn’t we all leave everything and follow him?
The Apostle Paul has guidance for us. If you were in a particular vocation when you heard and responded to the call of Christ, there is NOTHING YOU NEED TO CHANGE. Your calling is designed to coexist happily with your vocation!
"But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision(!) is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God." - 1 Cor 7:17-24
The Apostle is at pains to point out ( 3, THREE times ) that we are to stay in the position we were when we were called, UNLESS the Lord Himself moves us. (e.g if you are a servant and are made free, use that for service) - if you are able to work exclusively for God, that is great! "be not servants of men". But if not, don't worry about it. You don't need to do anything different, you will start to BE different!
We can and need to, serve God where we live, in whatever situation we are in, because there are people near you that only YOU can love and lead to Christ!
That should be a tremendous load off of your mind. Do His Will wherever you are, everything will flow!
4. And here's what a full life - with vocation and calling aligned looks like in the words of Solomon.
"Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; ---- for God now accepteth thy works----. Let thy garments be always -white-; and let thy head -lack no ointment-.Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." - Eccl 9:7-10
We are accepted in the Beloved, we have washed our garments white in His blood, and our heads are anointed with the unction of the Spirit. Stand fast in the Liberty wherewith Christ has set you free and do not go back to being entangled with the yoke of bondage to the pressures and priorities of the world.
"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house." - Heb 3:1-2.
Our heavenly, eternal vocation is that of Apostle (ones who are sent with the tidings of the King), and Priest - to pray for, assist, intercede for, and build up people!
Re: your earthly vocation - “Whatsoever” your hand finds to do ( skills, talents, opportunities, passions, desires ) do it with all your might. God will take care of getting you the right vocation - a) because He knows you need to eat b) to give you satisfaction in work that works with who you are - just being mom & dad are big jobs too!
"Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." - 2 Thess 1:11,12
Hallelujah!